CSU presidential candidates talk same talk

FORT COLLINS – Colorado State University’s two presidential finalists sing the same tune as they field questions from students, staff and community members.

The finalists – Michael Martin, vice president for agriculture and natural resources at the University of Florida, and Larry Penley, dean of the school of business at Arizona State University – both want to increase CSU’s endowment, raise tuition and recruit more minority students. Martin was on campus last week; Penley was on campus Tuesday.

The fact that both candidates focused on financial issues is not surprising, said C.W. Miller, professor in biomedical sciences and faculty representative to CSU’s board of governors.

“They both have done their research and know what the university needs,” Miller said.

With the chance to inherit a university that’s budget has been cut more than a quarter since May 2002, both candidates came prepared. They both said they hope to help increase CSU’s endowment that, at $135 million, lags behind peer institutions.

Martin said if he is selected as president, he’d push for more alumni dollars: “They should invest in higher education.”

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Both candidates also said they would raise tuition as well as financial aid.

“I’m a fan of the high tuition, high financial aid method,” Martin said.

Penley pointed out that that, while CSU might have comparatively low tuition, many students still can’t access the university because of low financial aid. He said the university needs to raise more money, partly from tuition, but some of that money has to go back to help those students who need it most.

Both candidates also support an increase in the number of minority students at CSU; 12 percent of the student population is considered minority.

“A university can’t be great unless it embraces as many different kinds of people as possible,” Martin said.

Penley said he hopes to focus on programs that will reach minority students before they reach the university.